Affording Vegas

Article Courtesy of Kira Wright

 

 

“Buy the ticket, take the ride.”

-Hunter S. Thompson, Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas

 

Las Vegas is a place where dreams and fantasies come true, but it is not a wallet friendly destination. Gone are the days of cheap buffets and even cheaper tables (except for a few downtown holdouts).

 

But you can still ride the ride that is Vegas! You don’t even have to empty your savings or your kid’s college fund to have a really great time. This column will help you find some of the hundreds of amazing deals out there to make sure your Vegas vacation is affordable.

 

Before I share all the fun tips and tricks that I have up my sleeve, a little about myself (and my husband since we share most Vegas adventures). My name is Kira and I am a Northern California native in my thirties. I work in IT as a Technical Writer. I have been married to my husband, Brian, for three years. He is a 1st grade teacher. We are both crazy about our “Happy Place”: Vegas! We also have a ten-year-old beagle named Coheed, who does not accompany us on our trips but is a big part of our lives.

 

Once we decide that a Vegas trip is imminent, I scour the web to find the best deals to make our trip fun and affordable. I hope that these articles help you score some amazing deals too and make your vacation as amazing as our have been.

 

So, without further pomp, the biggest factor on cost is the timing of your trip. Just like planning a trip to Disneyland, booking the adult play land of Vegas at the right time can be cheaper. Generally, avoid holidays unless that is what you’re booking your trip for. New Year’s in Vegas is epic, but is also epically expensive. You’re not the only one who wants to ring in the New Year in Sin City!

 

Conventions can also bring up prices. A helpful site for avoiding larger conventions can be found here.

 

Sports also make a difference on Vegas price. March Madness brings in thousands of extra visitors, and can make finding deals a bit more challenging. And who could forget the Super Bowl? Or the big Fights?!

The most expensive night is Vegas is Friday. Rooms can more than double in price on a Friday night. For the best possible deals, avoid Thursday through Saturday nights.

 

Weather can also be a factor on prices. 100+ degree weather tends to scare off some folks. You can find some deals in late July and August if you can stand the heat.

 

Another big event to avoid in Vegas (unless glow sticks are your thing) is the weekend of the Electric Daisy Carnival (EDC). This electric dance music event brings in close to 350,000 people. While the event is not on the Strip, people are filling up rooms there. For 2015, this is June 20-22. It’s always a good idea to check in about Vegas events before planning a trip. The last time I went to Vegas for a work conference was the same weekend as The Life is Beautiful Festival in October, which made taxis lines ridiculously long and I’m sure did nothing to help keep costs down for thriftier travelers. Luckily, I was covered for that trip.

 

You’ll find that going to Vegas without the crowds is a delightful experience. People are usually friendlier and more willing to give out deals, comps, and upgrades. The one downside is that there may be fewer shows or concerts going on, so make sure that will not be a disappointment for anyone in your group.

 

As luck would have it, Brian and I will be in Vegas this November, so expect a full adventure report complete with how we cut down on costs and how our deals worked out for us. Spoiler: This includes the new Ruth’s Chris location at Harrah’s; a deal I got using the Gilt City Las Vegas offering. Check out their high-end deals here for a limited time only.

 

I hope these tips help you “Buy the ticket, take the ride.” Many more to come. Viva Las Vegas!